Crystal Bridges' Program Explores Its Bentonville Grounds

BENTONVILLE -- Some changes have been made to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art's Discover the Grounds program to make it more convenient for the public to attend, said Cody George, museum horticulturist.

The program started three years ago to expose and educate people about the grounds, plants and wildlife surrounding the museum.

"The museum has tremendous programs on the inside, and we wanted to have a program where we could share the wonderful grounds on the outside," George said.

The museum grounds cover about 120 acres, according to its website.

About 55,000 plants were brought in to the grounds, according to George. Most are native to Arkansas.

The Discover the Grounds programs were held on a Friday each month from May to October for the first two years. This year, they be on Saturday, George said.

The change makes it more accessible to people who work on Fridays, and it could draw people who go to the Farmers Market, he said.

Another addition to this year's series is that there will be two programs this month and October, George said.

From 9 to 10:30 a.m. July 12, George will speak on the sun's ecosystem and will showcase wildflowers suited for a lot of sunlight and summer heat. Participants also will have a chance to pick a few flowers and make sun prints, according to the program description.

Then from 8:30 to 10 p.m. that night, Don Steinkraus, University of Arkansas entomologist, will talk about the life cycle and importance of lightening bugs. He will lead a lightening bug hunt, George said.

In October, Lynn Sciumbato with the Morning Star Wildlife Rehabilitation Center will lead morning program about owls. At night Rob Ross, an expert owl spotter, will call owls and will teach participants bird-spotting techniques, George said.

Another change this year is the programs are held at different locations at the museum. In the past, they were held at the Tulip Tree Shelter.

The two July programs will be held at the wildflower meadow behind the Skyspace, which is accessible by the paved Art Trail. The August program will be at the Rock Ledge Shelter. Another will meet at the Love sculpture, George said.

It's another way to get people to different locations rather than continually meeting in the same spot, he said.

George, who has presented many of the programs, said he's also bringing in more speakers this year.

Lori Spencer, author of "Arkansas Butterflies and Moths," spoke at the June program. About 100 people registered to attend, he said.

Registration is recommended, but not required for the free programs. It can be done online at the museum's website.

"We welcome anybody to come," George said. "It's been really good. The numbers increase each year."

Average participation is about 25 to 40 people at each program, he said. Sometimes people who use the trails will walk up on a program and stay for the rest of it, he added.

Discovering the Grounds is a wonderful opportunity for guests to experience the museum grounds in more depth than just doing it alone, said Lowell Collins, a museum trail guide volunteer.

Many times people just walk by trees and plants, but when they learn a little more about their importance, they gain more of an appreciation for what's on the grounds, she said.

As a trail guide, Collins leads small groups on tours after the program's presentation to experience what they learned.

The program gives participants knowledge about what's on the grounds, and knowledge breeds appreciation, she said.

"It makes your experience much richer," she said. "It's a lovely way to spend a Saturday morning."